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Drones become standard for hail and roof claims as labor tightens
Independent adjusting firm Mid-America Catastrophe Services says the goal is fewer claim “touches” as claims staffing shortages intensify, with adjuster jobs projected to fall 6% from 2025 to 2035.
Drones are increasingly being adopted for property claims inspections, as independent adjusters look to speed up how files are produced, reviewed, and closed, Insurance Business reports. Mid-America Catastrophe Services’ Henry Maley said clearer imagery and wider acceptance have helped drones move from novelty to standard practice in the claims workflow.
The shift is being driven by cost and capacity pressures in claims operations. Maley said producing a file with fewer touches is a major challenge, because each visit, phone call, and re-inspection adds time, while claims departments are short on both time and people.
The staffing crunch also points to why technology is gaining traction. Sedgwick’s 2026 Loss Adjusting Insights Report expects nearly a quarter of claims adjusters to retire by the end of 2027, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment in the occupation will fall 6% between 2025 and 2035, even as about 21,600 openings need filling each year.
Job data underscores the pressure, with Insurance Business citing Glassdoor showing postings for claims adjusters have fallen about 55% from their post-pandemic peak. Against that backdrop, MACS says drones are now central to inspections and claim closure rather than an occasional tool.